Leadership & Staff Kevan Yamahara Principal Engineer for Environmental Omics [javascript protected email address] Kevan Yamahara’s work focuses on developing autonomous and deployable technologies for environmental omics, with an emphasis on molecular tools that support ocean observing, biodiversity monitoring, and applied marine research. His interests span instrument development, field validation, and technology transition, with the goal of moving environmental DNA and related omics approaches from research settings into practical operational use.At MBARI, Kevan has contributed to the development and application of autonomous molecular sampling systems, including the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) and FIDO, and has worked on integrating these technologies with a range of observing platforms. His work also includes building partnerships across science, engineering, and user communities to improve interoperability, support technology transfer, and expand the use of omics-based measurements in ocean monitoring and management.
Weinstock, C., C. Preston, J.K. Brunson, W. Ussler, H. Bowers, K. Yamahara, G. Doucette, J. Ryan, A. Allen, C. Scholin, and J. Birch. 2026. A digital PCR assay for the dabA gene involved in domoic acid biosynthesis by Pseudo-nitzschia spp. Harmful Algae, 151(103024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2025.103024
Ussler, W., G. J. Doucette, C. M. Preston, C. Weinstock, N. Allaf, B. Roman, S. Jensen, K. Yamahara, L. A. Lingerfelt, C. M. Mikulski, B. W. Hobson, B. Kieft, Y. Raanan, Y. Zhang, R. M. Errera, S. A. Ruberg, P. A. Den Uyl, K. D. Goodwin, S. D. Soelberg, C.E. Furlong, J. M. Birch, and C.A. Scholin. 2024. Underway measurement of cyanobacterial microcystins using a surface plasmon resonance sensor on an autonomous underwater vehicle. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 22(9): 681-699. https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10627
Preston, C., K. Yamahara, D. Pargett, C. Weinstock, J. Birch, B. Roman, S. Jensen, B. Connon, R. Jenkins,J. Ryan, and C. Scholin. 2024. Autonomous eDNA collection using an uncrewed surface vessel over a 4200-km transect of the eastern Pacific Ocean. Environmental DNA, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.468
Miller, E.A., K.M. Yamahara, C. French, N. Spingarn, J.M. Birch, and K.S. Van Houtan. 2022. A Raman spectral reference library of potential anthropogenic and biological ocean polymers. Scientific Data, 9(780): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01883-5
Searcy, R.T., A.B. Boehm, C. Weinstock, C.M. Preston, S. Jensen, B. Roman, J.M. Birch, C.A. Scholin, K.S. Van Houtan, J.D. Kiernan, and K.M. Yamahara. 2022. High‐frequency and long‐term observations of eDNA from imperiled salmonids in a coastal stream: Temporal dynamics, relationships with environmental factors, and comparisons with conventional observations. Environmental DNA, 4(4): 776–789. https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.293
Truelove, N.K., N.V. Patin, M. Min, K.J. Pitz, C.M. Preston, K.M. Yamahara, Y. Zhang, B. Y. Raanan, B. Kieft, B. Hobson, L.R. Thompson, K.D. Goodwin, and F.P. Chavez. 2022. Expanding the temporal and spatial scales of environmental DNA research with autonomous sampling. Environmental DNA, 4(4): 972–984. https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.299
Andruszkiewicz, E.A., K.M. Yamahara, C.J. Closek, and A.B. Boehm. 2020. Quantitative PCR assays to detect whales, rockfish, and common murre environmental DNA in marine water samples of the Northeastern Pacific. PLoS ONE, 15: 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242689
Sepulveda, A.J., J.M. Birch, E.P. Barnhart, C.M. Merkes, K.M. Yamahara, R. Marin III, S.M. Kinsey, P.R. Wright, and C. Schmid. 2020. Robotic environmental DNA bio-surveillance of freshwater health. Scientific Reports, 10: 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71304-3
Yamahara, K.M., C.M. Preston, J. Birch, K.R. Walz, R. Marin III, S. Jensen, D. Pargett, B. Roman, W. Ussler III, Y. Zhang, J. Ryan, B. Hobson, B. Kieft, B.Y. Raanan, K.D. Goodwin, F.P. Chavez, and C.A. Scholin. 2019. In situ Autonomous Acquisition and Preservation of Marine Environmental DNA Using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6: 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00373
Preston, C.M., C.A. Durkin, and K.M. Yamahara. 2019. DNA metabarcoding reveals organisms contributing to particulate matter flux to abyssal depths in the North East Pacific ocean. Deep Sea Research Part II Topical Studies in Oceanography, 173: 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2019.104708
Birch, J.M., B. Barone, E. DeLong, G. Foreman, K. Gomes, B. Hobson, S. Jensen, D.M. Karl, B. Kieft, T. O'Reilly, D. Pargett, C. Preston, B. Roman, A. Romano, J. Ryan, C.A. Scholin, W. Ussler, K. Yamahara, and Y. Zhang. 2018. Autonomous targeted sampling of the deep chlorophyll maximum layer in a subtropical north Pacific eddy. OCEANS 2018 MTS/IEEE Charleston, pp. 1-5. doi: 10.1109/OCEANS.2018.8604898.
Chavez, F.P., J.T. Pennington, R.P. Michisaki, M. Blum, G.M. Chavez, J. Friederich, B. Jones, B. Herlien, B. Kieft, B. Hobson, A.S. Ren, J. Ryan, J.C. Sevadjian, C. Wahl, K.R. Walz, K. Yamahara, G.E. Friederich, and M. Messié. 2017. Climate variability and change: Response of a coastal ocean ecosystem. Oceanography, 30: 128–145. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2017.429
Caron, D.A., A.G. Gellene, J. Smith, E.L. Seubert, V. Campbell, G.S. Sukhatme, B. Seegers, B.H. Jones, A.A.Y. Lie, R. Terrado, M.D.A. Howard, R.M. Kudela, K. Hayashi, J. Ryan, J. Birch, E. Demir-Hilton, K. Yamahara, C. Scholin, M. Mengel, and G. Robertson. 2017. Response of phytoplankton and bacterial biomass during a wastewater effluent diversion into nearshore coastal waters. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 186: 223–236. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2015.09.013
Yamahara, K.M., E. Demir-Hilton, C.M. Preston, R. Marin III, D. Pargett, B. Roman, S. Jensen, J.M. Birch, A.B. Boehm, and C.A. Scholin. 2015. Simultaneous monitoring of faecal indicators and harmful algae using an in-situ autonomous sensor. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 61: 130–138. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/lam.12432
Sassoubre, L.M., K.M. Yamahara, and A.B. Boehm. 2015. Temporal stability of the microbial community in sewage-polluted seawater exposed to natural sunlight cycles and marine microbiota. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 81: 2107–2116. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.03950-14
Kelly, R.P., J.A. Port, K.M. Yamahara, and L.B. Crowder. 2014. Using environmental DNA to census marine fishes in a large mesocosm. PLoS ONE, 9: e86175. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086175
Kelly, R.P., J.A. Port, K.M. Yamahara, R.G. Martone, N. Lowell, P.F. Thomsen, M.E. Mach, M. Bennett, E. Prahler, M.R. Caldwell, and L.B. Crowder. 2014. Harnessing DNA to improve environmental management. Science, 344: 1455–1456. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1251156
Boehm, A.B., K.M. Yamahara, and L.M. Sassoubre. 2014. Diversity and transport of microorganisms in intertidal sands of the California Coast. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 80: 3943–3951. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00513-14